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There’s no glossing over the facts – most of us could do with brushing up on our painting skills.

So if you’ve already read up on how to paint a room, you’ll be able to find some additional hints and tips in this blog post.

Brush, roller, or pad?

A brush is ideal for covering small spaces and areas where accuracy is important, such as woodwork and edges. Synthetic-bristle brushes should be used with latex paints, while synthetic or natural-bristle brushes can be used with oil paints.

Rollers are the most common tool for covering walls; pads provide a cleaner alternative – but need dipping in paint more often.

Always use a paint kettle

Lugging around a big tin of paint can get tiring, so the professionals always decant into a smaller and more portable pot called a ‘kettle’. If you decide to use one of these, then carefully line it with foil to make cleaning up a doddle.

Get an even finish

When you’re using a paint brush, dip a third of it in paint and then wipe the excess off before starting. This will help you to avoid overloading your brush and subsequently painting thick and thin patches on your walls.

Watch our video to find out how to avoid paint drips running down the side of your tin and making a mess.

Cutting in

Cutting in is the technique used to paint a corner, such as the line between the wall and ceiling. Keep the brush tight up to the edge and use long strokes to help maintain a smooth, clean line. Concentration is key.

Keep a rag nearby

Sounds like obvious advice, but it’s only when you have a spill that you’ll notice you haven’t got a rag handy to tidy up with.

To clean, or not to clean your brushes?

If you’re only taking a break for lunch, then there’s no point in fastidiously cleaning your brush. Instead, tightly wrap it in a plastic bag and seal it with tape. You can even do this at the end of the day, but store your equipment in the freezer because then the paint won’t dry.

Once the job is finished, you should do a thorough clean. Remove any excess paint from the brush by wiping it with a cloth, and then you should stir it in a jar filled with either white spirit (oil and gloss) or warm water with washing-liquid (emulsion), making sure to separate all the bristles. Repeat the steps three or four times and then give the brush a good rinse under a tap.